ROCKFORD — The campaign to take politics out of legislative redistricting is coming to the Forest City.

The “Yes For Independent Maps” campaign is opening a Rockford office at 123. N. Alpine Rd., and will have an open house at the new office at 6 p.m. Thursday. Parking is available and refreshments will be served.

Campaign staff will join local volunteers and assisting organizations to open the campaign office.

The public is invited and petitions will be available for distribution. Campaign Manager Michael Kolenc will meet people and the press.

The “Yes” campaign is an attempt to change the way Illinois redraws state legislative districts after every U.S. Census. Under the current system, the dominant political party draws the map to benefit its legislative members at the expense of the minority party, resulting in a 97 percent re-election rate.

The “Yes” campaign seeks to change that to a an independent commission, similar to California’s, where an independent board, with input but not control from both parties, draws a legislative map that is fair to all voters in all parts of the state.

This would become law if a constitutional amendment is passed. To get the measure on the Nov. 4 ballot, the “Yes” campaign must turn in 298,000 signatures from Illinois voters by May 4.

Kolenc, the campaign coordinator, says the group hopes to turn in about 450,000 signatures to withstand challenges from the Democratic and Republican parties.

“We’re right on target in our petition gathering,” said Kolenc. To learn more about the campaign or to volunteer, come to the open house or go to independentmaps.org.